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Navy admiral is pick for next head of NSA

The Obama administration has chosen Vice Admiral Michael Rogers as the next director of the National Security Agency. Rogers, who currently leads naval intelligence operations, is the pick to replace General Keith Alexander, who is retiring in March.

The NSA's domestic surveillance policies have been under harsh criticism by advocates for privacy and civil liberties, while defense hawks have argued that the bulk collection of records is necessary to thwart terror attacks.

Obama announced some reforms to the surveillance programs earlier this month, including a directive to eventually transfer storage of the data away from the federal government.

Director of National Intelligence head James Clapper said in a statement that Rogers is "uniquely qualified" to head the NSA.